Whether you use a smartwatch, smart TV, smartphone, tablet or computer, in today’s world of intense graphics, speed is of utmost importance. When it comes to any of these computing devices, there are two types of speeds: the speed of the machine itself and the speed of the Internet connection. In this post, we’re going to explore the latter.

Pictured above is my computer’s Internet speed this morning right before I started this post. Our download speed service from Comcast is 1Gbps (Gigabits per second). (Approximately 1000 Mbps – Megabits per second.) As you can see, at the time I ran this test, my download speed was only 611 Mbps. Before I tell you how to test your Internet speed, let me explain some things you need to know:

• Your Internet speed will vary during the day. With that in mind, if you think you have a problem, before you call your ISP (Internet Service Provider) you should record dates, times and speeds. You should run tests at various times of the day/night.
• Ethernet switches will cause a drop in speed. For instance, the speed I recorded and which is showing above is slower than the speed at Joyce’s computer because her computer runs directly off the modem while mine goes through an Ethernet switch. Her computer’s download speed is usually 900⁺.
• Wi-Fi is slower than Ethernet (wired). Even in our shop where we have 1Gbps speed. As an example, here’s my smartphone’s speed this morning:

• The download speed should always be higher than the upload – usually at least twice as fast or greater.
• You should know the speed for which you are paying. Most ISPs have different speed tiers which are different prices. If you’re not paying for 1Gbps, you’re not going to get it. On the other hand, you need to be sure you are receiving the speeds for which you are paying. Sometimes, you can find the speed listed on your bill; other times, you may need to call and find out.
• Even on the same modem/router, different devices may have different Internet speed results. For instance, here’s the speed numbers from one of my Apple (iMac) laptops running wirelessly. You’ll see that the download speed is better than my phone but the upload is not.

Now, the question is, how do you test your Internet speed to see if everything is okay? I like the app, Speedtest by Ookla. They make an app for Windows 10, Apple, iPhones and Android and it’s available in the corresponding app store. You can also go in a browser to their website, www.speedtest.net. (If you do that, make sure you click on GO and do not any of the ads that appear on the page. If you are interested in the ads, check them out AFTER you run the speed test.

If you’re an Xfinity customer, you can go in a browser to speedtest.xfinity.com. Are you a Spectrum customer? You can check your speed here: https://www.spectrum.com/internet/speed-test. For AT&T, you’ll find your test here: https://www.att.com/support/speedtest/.

If you’ve never checked your speed, right now would be a great time! Give it a try.

P.S. – In case you didn’t catch it, the title of this post is actually the beginning of a quote by baseball legend Ty Cobb. The full quote is: “Speed is a great asset; but it’s greater when it’s combined with quickness – and there’s a big difference.”